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Alumni Podcasts

The Okemos Alumni Association 501(c)(3) Non-profit corporation Tax ID 82-1246695 
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

All podcasts were created by or feature Okemos Alumni, Teachers, staff or family. To be included, please contact Laurel Winkel OHS'68 LJWinkelOHS@Yahoo.com or Rod Ellis OHS'65 OkemosAlumniAssociation@gmail.com 


Okemos Alumni Podcasts


Anthony Ianni class of 2007 has multiple interviews on YouTube. This link is to Global Autism Project's Autism Knows No Borders Podcast, episode #33 Bullying, Breakthroughs, & Basketball, with Anthony Ianni, posted February 22, 2021.

"Anthony Ianni is an autism self-advocate, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a former basketball star. As the NCAA’s first Division 1 college basketball player with autism, playing for Michigan State University, Anthony surpassed all limitations that doctors had predicted for his life. He currently works for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and travels the country as part of the Relentless Tour, advocating against bullying and educating students about autism. Anthony’s memoir, "Centered", is expected to be released in early September 2021. In this conversation, Anthony shares how he coped with bullies growing up, how his parents told him about his autism, and why he was driven to prove others wrong. We also talk about his basketball career and how his autism affected his relationships with his teammates. Listen until the end to hear Anthony’s advice for parents who may be concerned that their child is being bullied."


Kristen Rasmussen class of 1996 was interviewed by Athletes Soul, posted on YouTube September 13, 2021, in a series called "Transition Talk".

"In this talk, Kristen speaks of her journey, from being drafted and playing 13 seasons in the WNBA and internationally to coaching and then her eventual transition to working for Nike. After retiring by choice, she knew she wanted to stay in basketball and chose to try her hand at coaching. For Kristen, this seemed like the obvious next step considering her experience. After a fulfilling experience coaching for several years, Kristen was offered an opportunity through WIN (Women in Nike) and started working for Nike as a global business coordinator for purpose product. She explains how she saw an opportunity to make a bigger impact at a larger scale. Being in a new environment, Kristen finally felt the weight of her "retirement" and had the time to reflect on herself and begin establishing a new personal image aside from the title of athlete. With her new career, she speaks of her drive to be known for something other than basketball, adjusting to the pace of the corporate world, and the tools she brings from her sport that have helped her navigate her new role. Kristen reflects on her frustration in feeling late to the game in the corporate world but how her athletic spirit is pushing her to continue her dreams off of the court."


Mark Jay's class of 1979 podcast "Tales from the Subterranean Playground" is produced in his Ann Arbor home studio. Here's the link:

https://rss.com/podcasts/s1e1talesfromthesubterraneanplayground/

Photos: Mike Place, Richard Hotaling,  Mark Jay and Tom Adams at Capital Area Career Center - CACC, 1978

Mark Jay at SUN Studios in Memphis, TN

“A few years ago I got the idea to start a podcast series entitled "Tales from the Subterranean Playground" Why such an odd title? Well, The Subterranean Playground is my on-site recording and production studio here in my Ann Arbor residence. It's also where I perform some research on electro-acoustical devices, such as speakers, subwoofers, microphones, etc. However, the primary focus of the podcast is on musicians' stories as well as the stories of those who work in music education, music therapy, or other music (and yes, audio gear) related fields. I chat with local Record Producers and Engineers, as well as professional session "cats and kittens" who work in the recording industry, but also with rocket scientists (no joke) who have since become tenured Professors while simultaneously honing their chops in building stringed instruments, what's known as a "luthier".

"If you are a musician - either professionally, or perhaps as part of a volunteer community orchestra and you'd like to chat with me about music's place in the arc of your life, chances are you'd be a solid fit for the podcast. In a nutshell we sit and talk. That's it. I like the art of conversation and I like it even more when it deals with the creation of execution of music, so I record the shows here in the studio as the acoustics of a podcast - or any recording project that I take on (I also do live recordings and specialize in binaural audio) - are extremely important to me; I strive for the best possible sound quality with each podcast.

"To date I've done ten episodes ranging from the production of a record by Mark Jewett and Produced by Billy Harrington, to discussions to one episode, the most-recent, in which I discuss my love of electronics and audio, and how building those electronic kits as a kid absolutely directed the path on which I still travel. You may not remember me from OHS as I spent the last two years attending the Capital Area Career Center in the afternoons, where I studied electronics. Although you may not remember me, you probably remember many of the Friday night post-football game dances (the tapes for which I made with fellow '79 alumni - you know who you are).

I digress. Later, I obtained my Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and have worked in acoustics, research and recording, active noise control, and automotive industry since 1990 (Tenneco Automotive and Lear Corporation). These days I am semi-retired and fly the banner of my consultancy company, immersifi recording services, llc, where I specialize in audio preservation & restoration, as well as recording, and providing consultancy services to individuals and corporations alike.

I'll leave you with this gem from The Subterranean Playground if you're so inclined: I recorded Michael Harrington performing the odd-tuning acoustical guitar piece (written by Duncan Sheik) entitled "Left Behind". Check it out, but also, think about being a guest on TFTSTP podcast; I'd love to chat with you. In the meantime, here's that track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drxd7BoGU9E "


Jack Schaberg class of 1976 is starting a podcast that may interest you. And here is the link to Jack's listing of all episodes on Spotify:

 https://open.spotify.com/show/1L5unRQSWNt8yZX5uJCFpa

“I'm launching a podcast called "I am a Chief(tain)." Each episode would feature the life and times of an OHS grad from 1948 (or as far back as possible) - 2020 (ish) as told by that person. My goal is to get at least one person from each graduating year over the podcast's run. Note: I encourage the next/current generation of OHS grads from the O's and Wolves' era to start up a podcast featuring alumni in the post-Chieftain era.

"I'd like to hear from you if you would like to be on the podcast. Note that I'm not looking for only the rich, famous, and "successful" among us; I'm interested in everyone's journey, regardless of the path you took. My plan is to record at least one episode a week on a Saturday morning. Participants would require, at the least, one device to listen through and another to record on. That may be subject to change. (YouTube instructional here.)

"The first episode of the aforementioned podcast I Am a Chieftain is now available for your listening pleasure. Here's the link:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DtCcZ98wxCuq0JdOt2woq... After listening and hearing how easy it is, please let me know when you'd like to tell your story. I encourage anyone interested to DM me on Facebook or email me at jelknet@gmail.com for additional details and to participate."